Monthly Archives: July 2010

A continuation on gingival flap surgery

gingival flap surgery

gingival flap surgery

How is the basic gingival flap surgery procedure performed

First a local anesthetic injection will be given to the site of the surgery to numb the area. This injection is  the same type of injection used when extracting teeth. Therefore, no excessive sedation is necessary unless the patient is very anxious. Then, your dentist will wait a few minutes and test the area again for numbness. The dentist will than make incisions or cuts along the gum margin (neck of the tooth) . When that is done, two vertical incisions are made according to the width  of the gingival flap. The gingival flap is than pulled away from the jaw bone using a forceps and a elevator. Your dentist will then examine the exposed bone and roots.  If there are inflamed or swollen gum tissue between the teeth, your dentist will remove it.  Depending on the situation, inflamed gum tissue may also have to be removed from holes in the bone. Continue reading →

Reasons to do a gingival flap surgery

periodontitis

A gingival pocket formation can be seen

A Quick history on Periodontal Disease

What causes  periodontal gum  disease ? Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colorless plaque on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque.  Plaque that is not removed can harden and form calculus that brushing does not clean.  Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove the calculus as it is very hard like pieces of rocks.

The longer plaque and calculus are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria causes inflammation of the gums leading to gingivitis.  In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily.  Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. This form of gum disease does not include any loss of jaw bone and tissue that hold teeth in place. Continue reading →

How does Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) lead to canker sores?

What are Canker sores?

Canker sores are also known as aphthous ulcer. Patients will normally face symptoms such as soreness, burning, or prickling sensation 1 to 2 days before the appearance of the ulcers.

Normal surrounding of your mouth will appear normal or there will be some red macules at the future sites of the ulcers. There are three recognisable type of aphthous  ulcers , minor aphthous ulcers, major aphthous ulcers, and  herpetiform ulcers. Continue reading →

Do you suffer from Orofacial Dyskinesia

orofacial dyskinesia

Patient is exhibiting signs and symptoms of orofacial dyskinesia after being on a long term drug treatment of neuroleptic drugs

What is Orofacial Dyskinesia

Orofacial Dsykinesia was first described in 1957 and the name was coined in 1964. Prior to this because of the prominence of symptoms around the mouth, it was given the name “bucco linguo masticatory syndrome“, meaning “cheek tongue chewing” syndrome. It was most described in patients with schizophrenia.

Orofacial dyskinesia refers to a wide variety of involuntary, repetitive, persistent, stereotyped movements caused by the use of neuroleptic which are drugs that block dopamine receptors. Dopamine receptors are found in our skin and they control movements by receiving electrical impulses.


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Cheap orthodontics: Is it possible?

© chadwellsmiles.com

Dental braces or orthodontic braces used to be shunned by people as being geeky or nerdy but nowadays, with better awareness of the benefits of having orthodontics that help improve our appearances and self-esteem, wearing braces seems to be a norm and some might even say fashionable. Generally speaking, putting on orthodontic braces can get pretty expensive and many are avoiding it due to the cost however cheap orthodontics may be possible – it just depends on your treatment planning. Continue reading →

Teeth whitening with carbamide peroxide

teeth whitening

White teeth gives a great smile

What is  carbamide peroxide in teeth whitening gels

Carbamide peroxide is also known as urea peroxide or urea hydrogen peroxide. Like any other peroxides, they are oxidizing agents which releases oxygen when in contact with water. The chemical formula is CH6N2O3, or CH4N2O.H2O2.

The carbamide peroxide is a skin, eye and respiratory irritant. It is also corrosive and causes burns. It does not cause injuries at 10% concentration but it might  at 35% concentration hence causing white chemical burns on the skin and gums alike.  Continue reading →

Facts that you need to know about gingivectomy and gingivoplasty

picture source from www.stevemocrae.com

Before and after Gingivectomy procedure

The first 5 letters of either word gives away its meaning that it has something to do with the gingival or more commonly, the gums. However, both these words carry different meanings about the procedure that is been done to the gums. In this article, we shall discuss about them. Continue reading →

What is a Chloraseptic Spray

chloraseptic

Chloraseptic Pocket Pump Spray - 20 ml Chloraseptic Pocket Pump Spray is fast acting, long lasting relief of minor sore throat and mouth pain $2.60

What is a Chloraseptic

Chloraseptic is an American brand of oral analgesic produced by Prestige Brands Inc. Its active ingredient is phenol, a compound whose antiseptic properties were discovered by Sir Joseph. Other Chloraseptic formulas are based on benzocaine. Chloraseptic was invented and originally made by Robert Schattner it was later bought by Richardson Vick, which merged with Procter and Gamble in 1985. Chloraseptic can come in many forms for example a chloraseptic spray, chloraseptic mouthwash and chloraseptic lozenges.

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Why is there Bad Breath after Tonsillectomy?

© KidsHealth

The tonsils play a small role in fighting infections in our body but they can be a source of infection and obstruction for both adults and children, and are responsible for a significant number of childhood diseases. An infection of the tonsils is called tonsillitis and it is mostly seen in children and young adults. Serious infection of the tonsils can cause some problems and tonsillectomy may be needed to rectify them.

What is tonsillectomy?

Tonsillectomy is a surgery to remove the tonsils which are located on either side of the back of the throat. Tonsillectomy is needed when the tonsils become infected frequently (tonsillitis). In many cases, tonsillectomy may be a more effective and less costly treatment than extended or repeated treatments for an infected throat. Tonsillectomy in children is one of the more common surgeries performed on children but the surgical procedure is done less often in adults. However tonsillectomy is only considered when other treatment methods are not effective as some tonsillitis cases can be cured without the need for surgery. Continue reading →